Expandable shoe cubicle storage closet/armoire

ABSTRACT

This innovative and Expandable Shoe Armoire/Closet invention is a grouping of connectable framed Display Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers sized using a combination of the footwear industry standard sizing and seven categories of fashion and utility styles of footwear. Prebuilt finishing storage units surround the Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers: Two Side-Paneled Cubicle Tower forms the closet sides and the room&#39;s wall serve as the closet back. Connecting Box-like storage unit form the aligned cubicle towers top and floor base in creating the encased expandable Shoe Armoire/Closet that expands with consumers footwear collection by extending a side cubicle and inserting one or more Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers as needed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

PROVISIONAL UTILITY PATENT Application No. 62/495,378. Filing Date Sep. 13, 2016. I claim the invention and benefit of this prior filed co pending provisional application in establishing the effective earlier filing date for this Nonprovisional Utility patent application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

“Not Applicable”

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

“Not Applicable”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gone are the days when ownership of the ‘basic black shoe’ limited consumers desire to purchase a variety of styles and brands of shoes. Consumer's ownership of multiple styles and colors of Fashion and Designer footwear has become a growing phenomenal in the 21^(st) Century. Retail shoe storage products have not evolved to meet consumers changing storage needs and demands associated with the rising monetary investment and acquisition of Fashion and Designer footwear.

For both men and women in the work force and/or social environment, footwear has become a ‘Fine Accessory’ investment akin to a ‘Fine Jewelry’ investment, creating a demand for one efficient and encompassing footwear storage solution for every style and size with each set of footwear individually protected and stored with optional and interchangeable display features within one storage unit that can expand as needed without change in design or appearance.

Prior Arts footwear storage solutions are not adaptable with consumers changing styles and have become inefficient in meeting consumers various demands resulting in a continuous acquisition of various styles and quantities of inefficient footwear storage products.

Consumers buying power, combined with their growing demand and purchases of fashion and designer footwear, have created a demanding need and search for one efficient, expandable and encompassing protective display and storage solution specifically designed and sized for footwear multiple styles and size variations.

Today's demand for budget-friendly efficient and decorative shoe storage products for footwear display is not met by prior-arts storage products designed to store a minimum of footwear primarily in a straight-line with inefficient use of wall surface. Budget-friendly prior-art footwear storage solutions are not efficient or adaptable to this century's consumer's quantity and various styles of footwear ownership or to consumer's demand for eye-appealing display within a home's décor when custom-built footwear storage is not an affordable option.

Prior Arts footwear storage solutions are not adaptable with consumers changing styles and have become inefficient in meeting consumers various demands resulting in a continuous acquisition of various styles and quantities of inefficient footwear storage products.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,002 Can adjust it's general-purpose storage shelves to store a pair boots by eliminating the use of two storage Shelves.

This Nonprovisional Utility Application subject matter is footwear Storage, encompassing effective and efficient resolutions for every known issue associated with footwear storage to include storage of “boots′. The three Boot sized Shoe Cubicle Storage towers of this Nonprovisional Application stores one to three pairs of boots. A 10″wide×12″deep×48″L rectangle of wall space and 10″×12” of floor space stores and display two pairs of boots each separated into protective Boot cubicles. The Waste of storage space created by use of general-purpose storage cabinets for shoe storage is eliminated with this Non-Provisional Utility Add-On-Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers sized using the footwear industry standard sizing combined with various categories of footwear fashion styles.

Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,615 Stores and display footwear, side-by-side on connecting stacks of open shelves. Overcrowding, stacking and shoes falling to the floor with eventual clutter and disorganization are common issues of open straight-line mobile shelving units, which promotes out-of-sight-storage.

The subject mater of this Non-Provisional Utility patent application eliminates the negative issues associated with this prior art. With all encompassing features of display, organization and protection this invention can optionally store and display each pair of footwear aligned in a straight-line shelving effect, staggered effect or a combination of both while maintaining the footwear protective separation feature with continuous organization, providing consumers the option of three interchangeable display alignment:straight, staggered or a combination of straight and staggered without having to purchase several specific footwear storage products. The straight-line display feature of this invention is instantly created by one direction placement, alternating reverse standing position for a staggered display. Combinations of straight-line and staggered alignment provide a third display option by combining sections of both alignments. Each alignment is achieved when using a multiple of Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers of the same height, and same shelf spacing. Varying the width of the Cubicle Towers can be use in each alignment.

Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,241 This prior art is a modular one-size enclosed stackable shoe cubicle. Stacking is limited to a straight-line front view display. The stacked cubicles provide no variations of clearance for various shoe styles heights, limiting the utility to shoes of a specific height. This prior art is over 30 years old and is not adaptable to the many footwear styles of today.

This Nonprovisional Utility Application invention Shoe Cubicles Storage Towers are not limited or fixed at one size for all footwear. This invention is a combination of one or multiple sizes of cubicles in each tower all with open framed cubicles with view from three to four sides and adaptable to unique and changing requirements for new styles by simply adding an appropriate sized Cubicle Storage Tower. This invention is adaptable to any change in styles and size footwear without changing the utility or design of this invention.

Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,892: Is a Cabinet of enclosed fixed columns of straight-lined boxes/cubbies for shoe storage with a limiting front view of the shoes. This prior art cubicles are fixed in position creating a one-piece cabinet unit, which eliminates options of variations of alignment. The prior art traditional cabinet design does not provide ornamental appeal as a display unit for shoes without complete visual view of the stored shoes. This prior art organize storage for a fixed number of shoes similar to locker rooms display storage and is expandable only by adding additional full-size cabinets which makes it not a budget friendly or space-saving add-on option for incremental increases in one's shoe collection.

This Non-provisional application of Add-On Cubicle Shoe Storage Towers allows most if not every consumer the opportunity to create budget-friendly display shoe storage within a minimum of floor and wall space.

Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,996. Display Shoe cabinet for retail stores. Today's retail stores use primary straight-line shelves along walls or free-standing mobile open straight-line shelving without walls. A single unit of this prior art could be adaptable within a small retail store. The space consumption of multiple units within a consumer's home for shoe storage would not be efficient use of space if not impractical considering the average if not most consumers limited home interior square footage.

The invention subject matter of this Nonprovisional Utility application is adaptable for retail warehousing storage or the sales floor display sale of shoes, optimizing use of space and providing consumers an uncluttered and attractive display and view of each pair of shoes; including retail increase time efficiency in retrieving shoes from the in-store warehousing.

Prior Art U.S. Pat. No. 57,681,728 B2. Collapsible shoe container Column.

This prior art has merit for long term mobile traveling if space consumption is not an issue; but would be a visually unattractive space consumption of expanding multiple side-by side units within a home's décor. Thus promoting out-of-sight storage. The subject matter of this Nonprovisional Utility Application is customized in-sight display storage separating each pair of shoes within a single cubicle within a tower of shoe storage cubicles with display view from 3 to 4 sides. Accessory coordination or travel selection is effortless to include expanding storage without a visual negative affect within the home's décor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a simple ‘knock-up’ placement of a combination of four pre-built add-on connecting units (FIG. 1) consisting of: (1) Two Add-On Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers, one factory finished with one solid side panel (FIG. 3) and one with four corners framed with four-sides view (FIG. 2). Both Add-On Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers option provide six uniquely sized Add-On Cubicle Storage Tower each labeled with a suggested referenced style of footwear sizing. And (2) A connecting and interchangeable Add-On Top and Base Stackable Rectangle and Square Box-Like Storage Units (FIGS. 4 and 5) to top the aligned Cubicle Shoe Storage Towers and to form the optional Floor Base for the Cubicle Towers to stand on.

Two Cubicle Towers with the attached side panel are placed at the beginning and end of the cubicle alignment in reverse placement position. The two Cubicles Towers with the side panel line up with the Top and Base Box Units creating the space-saving encased expanding shoe cubicle closet along a room's wall utilizing a 12 to 15-inch depth of floor space while maximizing the use of the wall for the Add-On-Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers with tower options ranging from 36″ to 72″ tall and 9½-14½ inches wide with the number of cubicles in the storage towers ranging from 2 to 12 cubicles in a single tower.

This invention four-unit add-on connections (FIG. 1) will enable every consumer to form a customized and expandable footwear storage closet uniquely their own. The desired completed closet can free-stand as built or can optionally be fixed in place with screws connecting Shoe Cubicles Storage Towers and Box-Like Storage Units respective sides. Consumers can expand their footwear storage as needed or within budget limitations with a finished built-in look from the beginning and with each future expandable Add-On unit.

The Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower is a grouping of same-size shelves permanently framed together at each corner creating a visual framed view of each stored footwear from all sides within its frame Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower. The Cubicle Shoe Storage Towers can optionally free-stand side by side in a displayed grouping along a wall section or wall-to-wall (FIG. 6).

The optional interchangeable connecting Box-Like Storage Units (FIGS. 4 and 5) are designed to create a floor base for the aligned Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers to stand on and a Storage Top to connect the aligned Cubicle Towers top edges. The combination of the Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers and the Box-Like Top and Base units create an innovative Expanding Shoe Closet by simply adding additional Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers and box units as one's shoe collection grows. Stacked Box Units create a contrasting Cubicle Floor Base and Cubicle Top.

The ‘Ad-On’ features of this invention makes this innovative and revolutionary Expandable Shoe Closet a budget-friendly investment with the ability to purchase starter units and expand with additional units as needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OR THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Four-piece pre-built add-on connecting components use to build the Expandable Shoe Cubicle Storage tower Closet/Armoire.

FIG. 2. A Four-Side view framed Add-On Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower.

FIG. 3. Side-paneled and three-side view connecting Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower form the Expandable Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower Closet/Armoire sides.

FIG. 4. The optional Add-on Square Box-like Storage Unit used to top the aligned Shoe cubicle Storage Towers and/or form a floor base for the shoe cubicle storage towers Expandable Shoe Cubicle Storage Closet/Armoire.

FIG. 5. The optional add-on rectangle Box-like Storage unit used to top the aligned Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers and/or as an optional floor base for the Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers.

FIG. 6. An alignment of staggered and straight-lined display of shoe cubicle storage towers without the two optional side-paneled shoe cubicles storage towers and without optional Box-like Storage Units.

FIG. 7. An assembled Expandable Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower Closet/Armoire topped with optional Add-On Connecting Square Box-like Storage units and standing on one Add-On Connecting Rectangle Box-Like Storage Unit as the Closet Floor Base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention consist of Add-On Free-Standing Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers (FIGS. 2 and 3) and related optional add-on finishing accessory units consisting of Add-On interchangeable connecting rectangle and square Box-Like Storage Units (FIGS. 4 and 5) to top the aligned Add-On Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower and form the Floor Base for the Cubicle Towers to stand on. One Cubicle Shoe Storage Tower is factory finished with one solid panel side (FIG. 3). The connected interchangeable rectangle and square Add-On Box Top and connected Box Floor Base form the closet top and floor. Two optional Cubicle Tower with attached side panel (FIG. 3) are placed at the beginning and end of the cubicle alignment. The two Cubicles Towers with the side panel line up with the side ends of the Top and Base Box Units creating the space-saving encased expanding shoe cubicle closet along a room's wall utilizing a minimum of 12-inch depth of floor space while maximizing the use of the wall with the Expanding Add-On-Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers (FIG. 2) with tower options ranging from 36″ to 72″ tall. Customizing consults are available for adding customized doors.

A Cubicle Shoe Storage Tower is formed by a series of identical sized shelves framed and connected at each corner within four corresponding wood stiles and secured within a dado with wood glue; other options such as wood cleats, commercial products or screws can be used to secure the frame shelves in-place.

The closet sides are formed by the use of two Shoe Cubicles Storage Towers designed and designated as the Closet Side Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower FIG. 3. Each height sized cubicle will have a corresponding cubicle finished with one solid side panel, which allows the consumer to select the same size within their selective configuration.

The Shoe Cubicle Closet is designed to optionally display shoes in three patterns when using a multiple of the same height and shelf spaced Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers: (1) Straight-Line (FIG. 7), (2) Staggered (3) combination of straight-line and staggered (FIG. 6).

The optional Box-Like Storage Top and Base Units are formed using rabbit or dove-tail joints to connect the top and bottom rectangle or square panels to the side panels, which determines the height of the interior storage space. Both front and backside of the box-like storage unit can be open or the option of a three-side closure with only a front opening is acceptable. The side-by-side length of the Shoe Cubicle Tower alignment determines the number and size of Box Units required. The Storage Box units can be stacked for additional storage while creating a cubicle design.

This invention is designed to resolve every known issue associated with current footwear storage. To assist consumers with customizing their Expandable Shoe Closet/Armoire, Shoe Cubicle Tower are sized and labeled with one of seven suggestive reference size categories: (1) Athletics. (2) Boots. (3) Flats & Sandals. [4] 1-2 inch Heels. (5) 3-4 inch Heels. [6] XL [7] Assorted Styles.

This invention maximize efficient use of space with each Shoe Cubicle Tower using only a depth of 12-14 inches of floor space from a room's wall or a multiple of walls with shoes attractively displayed and stored upward 36 to 72 inches along the wall surface within the Shoe Cubicle Storage Towers.

This invention is adaptable in meeting the needs of small space lifestyles: Lofts, Studio Apartments and the recent trend to Tiny Houses.

Selection of one or more varying heights of Cubicle Shoe Towers is an option for the consumer to personalize their unique Expandable Add-On Shoe Closet/Armoire. The Top Box-Like Storage Units are for use with Towers standing at the same height. Thus a unique staggered design height will require a multiple of towers of same heights for each staggered height alignment to accommodate the box unit size to top each staggered tier in creating a unique finish look. Special ordering coordinating flat tops for each single cubicle unit used will also provide a unique detailed finish and a display top for each of the Cubicle Towers used in a staggered or straight-line design.

This invention is crafted from natural wood and premium plywood with the footwear platform sizing based on the footwear industry standard sizing combined with the various footwear styles and classifications. 

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 19. I claim a series of spaced rectangle same-sized shelves, using footwear industry sizing combined with styles of footwear, framed together at respective corners within 36″ to 72″ long and 1½″ to 2″ wide wood stiles form a Shoe cubicle Storage Tower use to build and expand a Shoe Cubicle Display Storage Tower/Armoire with each addition.
 20. I claim an Expandable Add-On Shoe Cubicle Storage Tower Closet/Armoire using a grouping of framed rectangle footwear storage towers placed against a wall within side housing panels units and topped with Box-Like Storage Units form a footwear cubicle storage and display closet using the room's floor or the connecting box-like storage units as the closet top and floor and the room's wall forming the closet backside.
 21. I claim a framed grouping of same sized shoe cubicle storage tower of shelves can be displayed in a straight-line view, staggered view or a combination of straight-line and staggered view. 